Texts by Stevan Pešić for puppet and drama theater for children: A critical reception in the 1970s and 1980s: Contributing to the research of Pešić's dramaturgy

Abstract

This study explores the critical reception of Stevan Pešić's numerous texts written for puppet and drama theater for children, such as Legenda o Bošku Buhi, Vesela kuća, Guska na Mesecu, Jedne noći u Novome Sadu, Grad sa zečjim ušima, Krilata krava, Ptice, Lovačka priča, Ništa bez konja, Pet mesečevih cvetova, Braća Grim, Pinokio, Mocart i kompanija, Priča o repi, Čudno čudo, Velimir i Bosiljka, Čudesni vinograd, Bor visok do neba, Petao sa repom duginih boja, Plava ptica, and more. Many of these works were performed on stages across Yugoslavia, some were published, awarded, and even translated, emphasizing Pešić's significant influence in the literary and artistic expression of the second half of the 20th century. Through an analysis of critical comments published in periodicals and other sources during the 1970s and 1980s, this study highlights various opinions on Pešić's texts, including their communicativeness with children, his dramaturgical skill, and his poetic style, which encompassed elements of surrealism, the miraculous, fairytales, grotesque, absurdity, and dreamlike qualities. Examining how critics perceived Pešić's work becomes a crucial aspect of identifying and evaluating the key features of his dramaturgy, determining his place in literary and theatrical trends, and understanding his writer's originality. Moreover, the reception horizon provided by these critical assessments serves as an incentive for further research into Pešić's contributions, the broader tendencies in puppet and drama art for children, and the approaches adopted by the critics who engaged with it.